Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond the Bandage, the ABC First Aid podcast.

In this launch episode, hosts Jeff Irvine and Dee sit down with Susan Devlin, CEO of ABC First Aid, and Andy Parker from Understand Your Group to explore the future of first aid training, compliance, leadership and business growth.

Susan shares her journey into the training industry, why high-quality first aid education is critical, and how the sector has evolved over the years. She also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how ABC First Aid supports its training partners and why professional development, compliance and people remain central to success.

Andy then joins the conversation to unpack the marketing and business growth side of the industry, discussing AI, brand trust, digital marketing strategies and why returning to the fundamentals may be the most powerful strategy for businesses heading into 2026 and beyond.

This podcast series has been designed for industry, by industry, giving training providers, partners and business leaders access to practical insights, real experience and expert perspectives.

• Susan Devlin’s journey into the training and safety industry
• Why quality first aid training matters more than ever
• How the first aid training landscape has changed
• The impact of blended learning and express training models
• How ABC First Aid supports partners behind the scenes
• Why professional development and currency are critical
• How training providers can improve client retention
• Marketing challenges facing small businesses today
• The role of AI in business and marketing
• Why brand trust and storytelling matter
• The leadership mindset required for business growth in 2026